Multiplexer and communication device

ABSTRACT

A multiplexer includes: a common filter, a first filter connected to the common terminal and having a passband including a reception band of a first communication band; a second filter connected to the common terminal and having a passband including a transmission band of the first communication band; a third filter connected to the common terminal and having a passband including a transmission band of a second communication band; and a fourth filter connected to the common terminal and having a passband including a reception band of the second communication band. The transmission band of the first communication band and the transmission band of the second communication band are located between the reception band of the first communication band and the reception band of the second communication band, and at least one of the first communication band or the second communication band is a 5G-NR communication band.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/176,862 filed on Feb. 16, 2021, which claims priority ofJapanese Patent Application No. 2020-026093 filed on Feb. 19, 2020. Theentire disclosure of each of the above-identified applications,including the specification, drawings and claims is incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to multiplexers and communicationdevices.

BACKGROUND

Radio frequency front end circuits that support multiband and multimodecommunication should simultaneously transfer a plurality of radiofrequency signals with a low loss and a high isolation.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0127015 disclosesa reception module (a transfer circuit) having a configuration in whicha plurality of filters having different passbands are connected to anantenna via a multiplexer (a switch).

BRIEF SUMMARY

In recent years, the simultaneous transfer of radio frequency signalsusing a 5th Generation (5G)-New Radio (NR) communication band has beenstipulated in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Forexample, the simultaneous transfer (EN-DC:LTE-NR Dual Connectivity), andso on, of radio frequency signals in a 5G-NR communication band andradio frequency signals in a 4th Generation (4G)-Long Term Evolution(LTE) communication band can be considered.

When the simultaneously transferring radio frequency signals in a firstcommunication band and a second communication band which have differentfrequencies, it is necessary to ensure isolation between the radiofrequency signals in the first communication band and the radiofrequency signals in the second communication band. From this point ofview, filters supporting the first communication band and the secondcommunication band need to be provided individually.

Since the error vector magnitude (EVM) requirement specifications ofradio frequency signals in 5G-NR are more severe compared to radiofrequency signals in 4G-LTE, the required specifications are difficultto satisfy at the end region (a channel at the end of a communicationband) of the filter passband in which the EVM tends to deteriorate. Forthis reason, as in the reception module disclosed in United StatesPatent Application Publication No. 2016/0127015, when a plurality offilters provided individually are applied to the simultaneous use of afirst communication band and a second communication band which have asmall frequency gap, ensuring satisfactory EVM throughout thecommunication band becomes difficult.

In view of this, the present disclosure provides a multiplexer and acommunication device which are capable of suppressing the EVMdeterioration even when the frequency gap between two communicationbands for which simultaneous transfer is to be performed is small.

A multiplexer according to an aspect of the present disclosure is amultiplexer capable of simultaneously transferring a radio frequencysignal in a first communication band and a radio frequency signal in asecond communication band different from the first communication band,and includes: a common terminal; a first filter connected to the commonterminal and having a passband including a reception band of the firstcommunication band; a second filter connected to the common terminal andhaving a passband including a transmission band of the firstcommunication band; a third filter connected to the common terminal andhaving a passband including a transmission band of the secondcommunication band; and a fourth filter connected to the common terminaland having a passband including a reception band of the secondcommunication band, wherein the transmission band of the firstcommunication band and the transmission band of the second communicationband are located between the reception band of the first communicationband and the reception band of the second communication band, and atleast one of the first communication band or the second communicationband is a 5G-NR communication band.

The present disclosure can provide multiplexers and communicationdevices which are capable of suppressing the EVM deterioration even whenthe frequency gap between two communication bands for which simultaneoustransfer is to be performed is small.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other advantages and features will become apparent from thefollowing description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanyingDrawings, by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments disclosedherein.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a multiplexer and a communicationdevice according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the frequency relationship betweencommunication bands and passbands of respective filters included in themultiplexer according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a wiring configuration of themultiplexer according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3B is a table indicating priority of respective line lengthscorresponding to combinations of communication systems of themultiplexer according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a first example of a mountingconfiguration of the multiplexer according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a second example of a mountingconfiguration of the multiplexer according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of a multiplexer and a communicationdevice according to Embodiment 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be notedthat each of the subsequently described exemplary embodiments shows ageneric or a specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials,elements, the arrangement and connection of the elements, and othersindicated in the following exemplary embodiments are mere examples, andtherefore are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Among theelements described in the following exemplary embodiments, elements notrecited in any one of the independent claims are described as optionalelements. In addition, the sizes of the elements and the ratio of thesizes illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily accurate.

Furthermore, in the subsequent description, “signal path” refers to thetransfer path formed by a line for propagating a radio frequency signal,an electrode directly connected to the line, a terminal directlyconnected to the line or the electrode, and so on.

Embodiment 1 1.1 Configuration of Multiplexer 1 and Communication Device

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of multiplexer 1 and communicationdevice 6 according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1,communication device 6 includes multiplexer 1, antenna 2, RF signalprocessing circuit (RFIC) 3, low-noise amplifiers 61 and 62, and poweramplifiers 51 and 52.

RFIC 3 is an example of an RF signal processing circuit that processes aradio frequency signal which is transmitted or received by antenna 2.Specifically, RFIC 3 performs, by the downconversion, and so on, signalprocessing on a reception signal input via multiplexer 1, and outputsthe reception signal generated by the signal processing to a basebandsignal processing circuit (BBIC, not illustrated in the figures).Furthermore, RFIC 3 outputs a transmission signal processed based on asignal input from the BBIC, to multiplexer 1.

Antenna 2 is connected to common terminal 100 of multiplexer 1, emitsradio frequency signals output from multiplexer 1, and receives radiofrequency signals from the outside and outputs the received radiofrequency signals to multiplexer 1.

Low-noise amplifier 61 is a reception amplifier which is disposed in thesignal path connecting filter 10 included in multiplexer 1 and RFIC 3,and amplifies reception signals in a first communication band.

Low-noise amplifier 62 is a reception amplifier which is disposed in thesignal path connecting filter 40 included in multiplexer 1 and RFIC 3,and amplifies reception signals in a second communication band.

Power amplifier 51 is a transmission amplifier which is disposed in thesignal path connecting filter 20 included in multiplexer 1 and RFIC 3,and amplifies transmission signals in the first communication band.

Power amplifier 52 is a transmission amplifier which is disposed in thesignal path connecting filter 30 included in multiplexer 1 and RFIC 3,and amplifies transmission signals in the second communication band.

It should be noted that, aside from low-noise amplifiers 61 and 62 andpower amplifiers 51 and 52, switches and filters may be disposed asappropriate in the signal path connecting multiplexer 1 and RFIC 3.

Multiplexer 1 is disposed between antenna 2 and RFIC 3, demultiplexesreception signals input from antenna 2, and multiplexes transmissionsignals input from RFIC 3.

1.2 Communication Band Configuration of Multiplexer

Next, the detailed configuration of multiplexer 1 will be described. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, multiplexer 1 includes common terminal 100 andfilters 10, 20, 30, and 40.

Common terminal 100 is connected to one of the input or output terminalof filter 10, one of the input or output terminal of filter 20, one ofthe input or output terminal of filter 30, and one of the input oroutput terminal of filter 40. Furthermore, common terminal 100 isconnected to antenna 2. It should be noted that common terminal 100 neednot be directly connected to antenna 2, and a switch, an impedancematching circuit, a circulator, a splitter, and so on, may be interposedbetween antenna 2 and common terminal 100.

Filter 10, which is an example of a first filter, is connected to commonterminal 100 and has a passband that includes a reception band of thefirst communication band. Filter 20, which is an example of a secondfilter, is connected to common terminal 100 and has a passband thatincludes a transmission band of the first communication band. Filter 30,which is an example of a third filter, is connected to common terminal100 and has a passband that includes a transmission band of the secondcommunication band having a frequency different from the firstcommunication band. Filter 40, which is an example of a fourth filter,is connected to common terminal 100 and has a passband that includes areception band of the second communication band.

It should be noted that each of filters 10 to 40 is directly connectedwith common terminal 100. However, an impedance matching element havingat least one of an inductance or a capacitance may be disposed in thesignal path connecting each of filters 10 to 40 and common terminal 100.

Furthermore, each of filters 10 to 40 may be any of an acoustic wavefilter that makes use of surface acoustic waves (SAW), an acoustic wavefilter that makes use of bulk acoustic waves (BAW), an LC resonantfilter, and a dielectric filter, for example, but is not limited tothese filters.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the frequency relationship between thecommunication bands and the passbands of the respective filters includedin multiplexer 1 according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in thefigure, in combination I of the communication bands, the firstcommunication band is n8 of 5G-NR, and the second communication band isBand 20 of 4G-LTE. When combination I is applied, the passband of filter10 includes the reception band of n8 of 5G-NR, the passband of filter 20includes the transmission band of n8 of 5G-NR, the passband of filter 30includes the transmission band of Band 20 of 4G-LTE, and the passband offilter 40 includes the reception band of Band 20 of 4G-LTE. It should benoted that the passband of filter 40 may include the reception band ofn28 of 5G-NR indicated in FIG. 2.

Furthermore, in combination II of the communication bands, the firstcommunication band is n26 of 5G-NR, and the second communication band isBand 13 of 4G-LTE. When combination II is applied, the passband offilter 10 includes the reception band of n26 of 5G-NR, the passband offilter 20 includes the transmission band of n26 of 5G-NR, the passbandof filter 30 includes the transmission band of Band 13 of 4G-LTE, andthe passband of filter 40 includes the reception band of Band 13 of4G-LTE. It should be noted that in multiplexer 1 according to thisembodiment, at least one of the first communication band or the secondcommunication band is a communication band of 5G-NR.

Here, in multiplexer 1 according to this embodiment, the transmissionband of the first communication band and the transmission band of thesecond communication band are located between the reception band of thefirst communication band and the reception band of the secondcommunication band. More specifically, the communication bands appliedto multiplexer 1 according to this embodiment are arranged in thefollowing order from the high frequency-side: the reception band of thefirst communication band; the transmission band of the firstcommunication band; the transmission band of the second communicationband; and the reception band of the second communication band.

With the above-described configuration, multiplexer 1 is capable ofsimultaneously transferring radio frequency signals in the firstcommunication band and radio frequency signals in the secondcommunication band different from the first communication band.

With the above-described configuration of multiplexer 1 according tothis embodiment, the transmission band of the first communication bandand the transmission band of the second communication band are adjacenteach other, without each other's reception bands being sandwichedtherebetween, in the frequency axis. Based on this frequencyrelationship, from the viewpoint of miniaturizing and simplifying afront-end circuit including multiplexer 1, it is assumed that thefront-end circuit is provided with one filter having a passband thatincludes the transmission band of the first communication band and thetransmission band of the second communication band.

However, when simultaneously using the first communication band and thesecond communication band in the front-end circuit, it is necessary toensure an isolation between the radio frequency signals in the firstcommunication band and the radio frequency signals in the secondcommunication band in order to ensure a signal quality. From thisviewpoint, it necessary to individually provide filters corresponding tothe transmission band of the first communication band and thetransmission band of the second communication band which are adjacent toeach other.

However, even though the EVM requirement specifications of transmissionsignals in 5G-NR are more severe compared to transmission signals in4G-LTE, the EVM tends to deteriorate at the end region (a channel at theend of a communication band) of the filter passband. As such, whensimultaneously transferring transmission signals in the firstcommunication band and transmission signals in the second communicationband, it is difficult to ensure a good EVM throughout the passbandbecause the transmission band of the first communication band and thetransmission band of the second communication band are adjacent to eachother.

In response to this, according to the above-described configuration,filters 10 to 40 are connected to common terminal 100, and thus thesignal lines connecting common terminal 100 and each of the filters canbe shortened. Therefore, since it is possible to suppress thedeterioration of EVM due to transfer losses in the signal lines, the EVMdeterioration can be suppressed for multiplexer 1 as a whole and forcommunication device 6.

It should be noted that the EVM is a signal quality index that indicateshow far off an I-Q constellation point of a modulated signal is from anI-Q constellation point of an ideal modulated signal. The more the EVMincreases, the more signal quality deteriorates.

It should be noted that the communication bands applied to multiplexer 1according to this embodiment may be arranged in the following order fromthe low frequency-side: the reception band of the first communicationband; the transmission band of the first communication band; thetransmission band of the second communication band; and the receptionband of the second communication band.

Furthermore, the communication bands applied to multiplexer 1 accordingto this embodiment may be arranged in the following order from the highfrequency-side: the reception band of the first communication band; thetransmission band of the second communication band; the transmissionband of the first communication band; and the reception band of thesecond communication band.

Moreover, the communication bands applied to multiplexer 1 according tothis embodiment may be arranged in the following order from the lowfrequency-side: the reception band of the first communication band; thetransmission band of the second communication band; the transmissionband of the first communication band; and the reception band of thesecond communication band.

It should be noted that in communication band combinations I and IIshown in FIG. 2, the frequency gap between the transmission band of thefirst communication band and the transmission band of the secondcommunication band may be narrower than the transmission band width ofthe first communication band. Specifically, in combination I, frequencygap GAP between the transmission band of the first communication band(n8 of 5G-NR) and the transmission band of the second communication band(Band 20 of 4G-LTE) is 18 MHz, and the transmission band width of thefirst communication band (n8 of 5G-NR) is 35 MHz. Furthermore, incombination II, frequency gap GAP between the transmission band of thefirst communication band (n26 of 5G-NR) and the transmission band of thesecond communication band (Band 13 of 4G-LTE) is 27 MHz, and thetransmission band width of the first communication band (n26 of 5G-NR)is 35 MHz.

In combinations I and II, since the frequency gap between thetransmission band of the first communication band and the transmissionband of the second communication band is relatively small, the EVMdeterioration in the end region of the transmission band of the firstcommunication band which is adjacent to the transmission band of thesecond communication band tends to be severe, and the EVM deteriorationin the end region of the transmission band of the second communicationband which is adjacent to the transmission band of the firstcommunication band tends to be severe.

In contrast, even when the frequency gap between the transmission bandof the first communication band and the transmission band of the secondcommunication band is relatively small, with the above-describedconfiguration, filters 10 to 40 are connected to common terminal 100,and thus the signal lines connecting common terminal 100 and therespective filters can be shortened. Therefore, since the EVMdeterioration due to transfer loss in the signal lines that transfertransmission signals in particular can be suppressed, the EVMdeterioration in multiplexer 1 as a whole can be suppressed.

It should be noted that, in multiplexer 1 according to this embodiment,the first communication band is not limited to n8 or n26 of 5G-NR.Furthermore, the second communication band is not limited to Band 20 orBand 13 of 4G-LTE. As the first communication band and the secondcommunication band, a combination that satisfies the followingconditions is sufficient: (1) that the reception band of the firstcommunication band, the transmission band of the first communicationband, the transmission band of the second communication band, and thereception band of the second communication band are arranged in thisorder from the low frequency-side or the high frequency-side; and (2)that at least one of the first communication band and the secondcommunication band is a communication band for 5G-NR which is acommunication system.

1.3 Mounting Configuration of Multiplexer 1

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a wiring configuration of multiplexer1 according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in the figure, filter 10includes input terminal 11 and output terminal 12. Input terminal 11 isan example of a first input or output terminal and is connected tocommon terminal 100. Filter 20 includes output terminal 21 and inputterminal 22. Output terminal 21 is an example of a second input oroutput terminal and is connected to common terminal 100. Filter 30includes output terminal 31 and input terminal 32. Output terminal 31 isan example of a third input or output terminal and is connected tocommon terminal 100. Filter 40 includes input terminal 41 and outputterminal 42. Input terminal 41 is an example of a fourth input or outputterminal and is connected to common terminal 100.

In FIG. 3A, the length of the signal line connecting input terminal 11and common terminal 100 is denoted as line length L10, the length of thesignal line connecting output terminal 21 and common terminal 100 isdenoted as line length L20, the length of the signal line connectingoutput terminal 31 and common terminal 100 is denoted as line lengthL30, and the length of the signal line connecting input terminal 41 andcommon terminal 100 is denoted as line length L40.

FIG. 3B is a table indicating the priority of respective line lengthscorresponding to combinations of communication systems of multiplexer 1according to Embodiment 1. It should be noted that in FIG. 3B, “linelength: 1” to “line length: 4” indicate the priority for shortening linelength, and “line length: 1” means a highest priority for shortening theline length.

In communication system combination C in the bottom row in FIG. 3B, thefirst communication band is a communication band of 5G-NR and the secondcommunication band is a communication band of 4G-LTE. Here, line lengthL20 may be less than or equal to line length L30, and less than or equalto line length L10, and less than or equal to line length L40.

Accordingly, since line length L20 of the signal line to be connected tofilter 20, which passes the transmission signals in the firstcommunication band of 5G-NR which has the most severe EVM requirementspecifications, can be made shorter than the other line lengths, thedeterioration of EVM of transmission signals in 5G-NR can be effectivelysuppressed.

Furthermore, in communication system combination C in the bottom row inFIG. 3B, line length L20 may be less than or equal to line length L10and less than or equal to line length L40, and line length L30 may beless than or equal to line length L10 and less than or equal to linelength L40.

Accordingly, deterioration of the EVMs of the transmission signals inthe first communication band of 5G-NR and the transmission signals inthe second communication band of 4G-LTE can be effectively suppressed.

Furthermore, in communication system combination A in the top row inFIG. 3B, the first communication band is a communication band of 4G-LTEand the second communication band is a communication band of 5G-NR.Here, line length L30 may be less than or equal to line length L20, andless than or equal to line length L40, and less than or equal to linelength L10.

Accordingly, since line length L30 of the signal line to be connected tofilter 30, which passes the transmission signals in the secondcommunication band of 5G-NR which has the most severe EVM requirementspecifications, can be made shorter than the other line lengths, thedeterioration of EVM of transmission signals in 5G-NR can be effectivelysuppressed.

Furthermore, in communication system combination A in the top row inFIG. 3B, line length L30 may be less than or equal to line length L40and less than or equal to line length L10, and line length L20 may beless than or equal to line length L10 and less than or equal to linelength L40.

Accordingly, deterioration of the EVMs of the transmission signals inthe second communication band of 5G-NR and the transmission signals inthe first communication band of 4G-LTE can be effectively suppressed.

Furthermore, in communication system combination B in the middle of FIG.3B, each of the first communication band and the second communicationband is a communication band of 5G-NR. Here, line length L20 may be lessthan or equal to line length L10 and less than or equal to line lengthL40, and line length L30 may be less than or equal to line length L10and less than or equal to line length L40.

Accordingly, since line length L20 and line length L30 of the signallines that transfer the transmission signals in 5G-NR which has the mostsevere EVM requirement specifications can be made shorter than linelength L10 and line length L40 of the signal lines that transferreception signals, the deterioration of EVM of transmission signals in5G-NR can be effectively suppressed.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a first example of a mountingconfiguration of multiplexer 1 according to Embodiment 1. In the figure,the mounting configuration of multiplexer 1 disposed on board 90 isschematically illustrated.

In FIG. 4A, electronic components can be mounted, for example, on theprincipal surfaces and inside board 90, and board 90 is, for example, alow temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) board having a stacked structureof a plurality of dielectric layers, a high temperature co-fired ceramic(HTCC) board, a component-embedded board, a board having aredistribution layer (RDL), a printed circuit board, or the like.

Each of filters 10 to 40 is, for example, a filter element in chip formwhich is built into a single package or mounted on a single substrate.Common terminal 100 and filters 10 to 40 are disposed on the same board90. Accordingly, since the signal lines connecting common terminal 100and each of the filters can be formed on the same board 90, the signallines can be shortened and multiplexer 1 can be miniaturized.

Furthermore, in FIG. 4A, filters 10 to 40 are disposed surroundingcommon terminal 100 in a plan view of board 90. Accordingly, the foursignal lines connecting common terminal 100 and each of the filters canbe shortened, and multiplexer 1 can be miniaturized.

Furthermore, in FIG. 4A, board 90 may be a piezoelectric board. In thiscase, each of filters 10 to 40 is, for example, a SAW filter. Theinterdigital transducer (IDT) electrodes included in each of filters 10to 40 are formed on board 90. In other words, common terminal 100 andfilters 10 to 40 are disposed on the same piezoelectric board 90.Accordingly, since the signal lines connecting common terminal 100 andeach of the filters can be formed on the same board 90, the signal linescan be shortened and multiplexer 1 can be miniaturized.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a second example of a mountingconfiguration of multiplexer 1 according to Embodiment 1. In the figure,the mounting configuration of multiplexer 1 disposed on board 90 isschematically illustrated.

In FIG. 4B, electronic components can be mounted, for example, on theprincipal surfaces and inside board 90, and board 90 is, for example, anLTCC board having a stacked structure of a plurality of dielectriclayers, an HTCC board, a component-embedded board, a board having anRDL, a printed circuit board, or the like.

Each of filters 10 to 40 is, for example, a filter element in chip formwhich is built into a single package or mounted on a single substrate.Common terminal 100 and filters 10 to 40 are disposed on the same board90. Accordingly, since the signal lines connecting common terminal 100and each of the filters can be formed on the same board 90, the signallines can be shortened and multiplexer 1 can be miniaturized.

Furthermore, in FIG. 4B, filters 10 to 40 are arranged in the order offilter 10, 20, 30, and 40 in a plan view of board 90. Furthermore, amonginput terminals 11 and 41 and output terminals 21 and 31, commonterminal 100 is disposed closest to output terminals 21 and 31.Accordingly, the signal line connecting common terminal 100 and filter20 and the signal line connecting common terminal 100 and filter 30 canbe shortened, and multiplexer 1 can be miniaturized.

Furthermore, in FIG. 4B, board 90 may be a piezoelectric board. In thiscase, each of filters 10 to 40 is, for example, a SAW filter. The IDTelectrodes included in each of filters 10 to 40 are formed on board 90.In other words, common terminal 100 and filters 10 to 40 are disposed onthe same piezoelectric board 90. Accordingly, since the signal linesconnecting common terminal 100 and each of the filters can be formed onthe same board 90, the signal lines can be shortened and multiplexer 1can be miniaturized.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, common terminal 100 ofmultiplexer 1 is defined as follows. Common terminal 100 is defined asthe node that is closest to filters 10 to 40 in the paths in which thefour signals of the reception signal and the transmission signal in thefirst communication band and the reception signal and the transmissionsignal in the second communication band flow, in the signal pathsconnecting antenna 2 and filters 10 to 40.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, input terminal 11 of filter 10 andinput terminal 41 of filter 40 are defined as follows. When filters 10and 40 are filter elements in chip form, each of input terminals 11 and41 is defined as an input electrode or input terminal disposed on anouter surface of the chip. Furthermore, when filters 10 and 40 areacoustic wave filters formed on a piezoelectric board, each of inputterminals 11 and 41 is defined as an input electrode or input terminalthat is formed on the piezoelectric board and is to be connected to anexternal board via a bump or a solder ball.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, output terminal 21 of filter 20 andoutput terminal 31 of filter 30 are defined as follows. When filters 20and 30 are filter elements in chip form, each of output terminals 21 and31 is defined as an output electrode or output terminal disposed on anouter surface of the chip. Furthermore, when filters 20 and 30 areacoustic wave filters formed on a piezoelectric board, each of outputterminals 21 and 31 is defined as an output electrode or output terminalthat is formed on the piezoelectric board and is to be connected to anexternal board via a bump or a solder ball.

It should be noted that, although each of the first communication bandand the second communication band is exemplified as a communication bandthat supports frequency division duplex (FDD) and is divided into atransmission band and a reception band in this embodiment, the presentdisclosure is not limited to such a configuration.

Specifically, in multiplexer 1, the passband of filter 10 may include afirst TDD band that supports time division duplex (TDD), the passband offilter 20 may include a second TDD band, the passband of filter 30 mayinclude a third TDD band, and the passband of filter 40 may include afourth TDD band.

Here, at least one of the first to fourth TDD bands is a TDD band thatsupports a high power mode, and at least another one of the first tofourth TTD bands is a TDD band that supports a low power mode. Here, thelength of the signal line connecting common terminal 100 and the inputor output terminal of the filter having a passband that includes the TDDband that supports the high power mode among filters 10 to 40 is lessthan the length of the signal line connecting common terminal 100 andthe input or output terminal of the filter having a passband thatincludes the TDD band that supports the low power mode among filters 10to 40.

It should be noted that the high power mode is, for example, a mode forcommunicating in power class 3 (+23 dBm) and power class 2 (greater than+23 dBm). When operating the multiplexer in high power mode, it isassumed that, due to transfer loss in the transmission path thattransfers the transmission signal in the TDD band that supports the highpower mode, the EVM of the transmission signal will deterioratesignificantly.

In contrast, according to the above-described configuration, the linelength of the signal line connecting common terminal 100 and the filterthat passes the transmission signals in the TDD band supporting the highpower mode can be made shorter than the line length of the signal lineconnecting common terminal 100 and the filter that passes thetransmission signals in the TDD band supporting the low power mode, andthus the deterioration of the EVM of the transmission signals supportingthe high power mode can be suppressed.

It should noted that in this case, the passband of filter 10 mayinclude, for example, wireless local area network (WLAN) 6 GHz, thepassband of filter 20 may include, for example, WLAN 5 GHz, the passbandof filter 30 may include, for example, n79 of 5G-NR, and the passband offilter 40 may include, for example, n77 of 5G-NR.

Furthermore, the passband of at least one of filters 10 to 40 mayinclude the transmission band and the reception band of the FDD band.

Furthermore, the passband of filters 10 and 20 may include, for example,NR-U instead of WLAN. It should be noted that NR-U is a 5G-NR band of atleast 5 GHz in 3GPP, and corresponds to the U-NII communication bandwithin the unlicensed band of the Federal Communication Commission(FCC).

Furthermore, when multiplexer 1 includes a plurality of filters havingpassbands including the TDD band as described above, it is sufficientthat the number of the plurality of filters be at least 2. In this case,it is sufficient that at least one of the plurality of filters has apassband that includes a TDD band supporting the high power mode and atleast another one of the plurality of filters has a passband thatincludes a TDD band supporting the low power mode. Here, the length ofthe signal line connecting common terminal 100 and the input or outputterminal of the filter having a passband that includes the TDD band thatsupports the high power mode among the plurality of filters is less thanthe length of the signal line connecting common terminal 100 and theinput or output terminal of the filter having a passband that includesthe TDD band that supports the low power mode among the plurality offilters.

Accordingly, the line length of the signal line connecting commonterminal 100 and the filter that passes the transmission signals in theTDD band supporting the high power mode can be made shorter than theline length of the signal line connecting common terminal 100 and thefilter that passes the transmission signals in the TDD band supportingthe low power mode, and thus the deterioration of the EVM of thetransmission signals supporting the high power mode can be suppressed.

Embodiment 2

In this embodiment, a communication device including a plurality ofmultiplexers having the same circuit configuration as multiplexer 1according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

2.1 Circuit Configuration of Multiplexers 1A and 1B and CommunicationDevice

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of multiplexers 1A and 1B andcommunication device 8 according to Embodiment 2. As illustrated in thefigure, communication device 8 includes multiplexers 1A and 1B, antenna2, RFIC 3, switch 7, low-noise amplifiers 61A, 62A, 61B, and 62B, andpower amplifiers 51A, 52A, 51B and 52B. Compared to communication device6 according to Embodiment 1, communication device 8 according to thisembodiment is different in including two multiplexers 1A and 1B, switch7, four low-noise amplifiers, and fourth power amplifiers. Hereinafter,communication device 8 according to this embodiment will be describedomitting description of points that are the same as in communicationdevice 6 according to Embodiment 1, and focusing on the points that aredifferent.

Switch 7 is disposed between antenna 2 and multiplexers 1A and 1B, andswitches between connection and disconnection of antenna 2 andmultiplexer 1A, and switches between connection and disconnection ofantenna 2 and multiplexer 1B.

Low-noise amplifier 61A is a reception amplifier which is disposed inthe signal path connecting filter 10A included in multiplexer 1A andRFIC 3, and amplifies reception signals in a first communication band.

Low-noise amplifier 62A is a reception amplifier which is disposed inthe signal path connecting filter 40A included in multiplexer 1A andRFIC 3, and amplifies reception signals in a second communication band.

Power amplifier 51A is a transmission amplifier which is disposed in thesignal path connecting filter 20A included in multiplexer 1A and RFIC 3,and amplifies transmission signals in the first communication band.

Power amplifier 52A is a transmission amplifier which is disposed in thesignal path connecting filter 30A included in multiplexer 1A and RFIC 3,and amplifies transmission signals in the second communication band.

Low-noise amplifier 61B is a reception amplifier which is disposed inthe signal path connecting filter 10B included in multiplexer 1B andRFIC 3, and amplifies reception signals in a third communication band.

Low-noise amplifier 62B is a reception amplifier which is disposed inthe signal path connecting filter 40B included in multiplexer 1B andRFIC 3, and amplifies reception signals in a fourth communication band.

Power amplifier 51B is a transmission amplifier which is disposed in thesignal path connecting filter 20B included in multiplexer 1B and RFIC 3,and amplifies transmission signals in the third communication band.

Power amplifier 52B is a transmission amplifier which is disposed in thesignal path connecting filter 30B included in multiplexer 1B and RFIC 3,and amplifies transmission signals in the fourth communication band.

It should be noted that, aside from low-noise amplifiers 61A, 62A, 61B,and 62B and power amplifiers 51A, 52A, 51B, and 52B, switches, filters,and so on, may be disposed in the signal path connecting multiplexer 1Aand RFIC 3 and the signal line connecting multiplexer 1B and RFIC 3.

Multiplexer 1A and 1B are disposed between antenna 2 and RFIC 3,demultiplex reception signals input from antenna 2, and multiplextransmission signals input from RFIC 3.

Multiplexer 1A includes common terminal 100A and filters 10A, 20A, 30A,and 40A.

Common terminal 100A is connected to one of the input or output terminalof filter 10A, one of the input or output terminal of filter 20A, one ofthe input or output terminal of filter 30A, and one of the input oroutput terminal of filter 40A. Furthermore, common terminal 100A isconnected to switch 7.

Filter 10A, which is an example of a first filter, is connected tocommon terminal 100A and has a passband that includes a reception bandof the first communication band. Filter 20A, which is an example of asecond filter, is connected to common terminal 100A and has a passbandthat includes a transmission band of the first communication band.Filter 30A, which is an example of a third filter, is connected tocommon terminal 100A and has a passband that includes a transmissionband of the second communication band having a frequency different fromthe first communication band. Filter 40A, which is an example of afourth filter, is connected to common terminal 100A and has a passbandthat includes a reception band of the second communication band. Thefirst communication band is n8 of 5G-NR, and the second communicationband is Band 20 of 4G-LTE. In addition, the passband of filter 40Aincludes a reception band of n28 of 5G-NR.

It should be noted that each of filters 10A to 40A is directly connectedwith common terminal 100A. However, an impedance matching element havingat least one of an inductance or a capacitance may be disposed in thesignal path connecting each of filters 10A to 40A and common terminal100A.

The communication bands applied to multiplexer 1A are arranged in thefollowing order from the high frequency-side: the reception band of thefirst communication band; the transmission band of the firstcommunication band; the transmission band of the second communicationband; and the reception band of the second communication band.

With the above-described configuration, multiplexer 1A is capable ofsimultaneously transferring radio frequency signals in the firstcommunication band and radio frequency signals in the secondcommunication band different from the first communication band.

Multiplexer 1B includes common terminal 100B and filters 10B, 20B, 30B,and 40B.

Common terminal 100B is connected to one of the input or output terminalof filter 10B, one of the input or output terminal of filter 20B, one ofthe input or output terminal of filter 30B, and one of the input oroutput terminal of filter 40B. Furthermore, common terminal 100B isconnected to switch 7.

Filter 10B is connected to common terminal 100B, and has a passband thatincludes a reception band of the third communication band. Filter 20B isconnected to common terminal 100B, and has a passband that includes atransmission band of the third communication band. Filter 30B isconnected to common terminal 100B, and has a passband that includes atransmission band of the fourth communication band having a frequencydifferent from the third communication band. Filter 40B is connected tocommon terminal 100B, and has a passband that includes a reception bandof the fourth communication band. The third communication band is n26 of5G-NR, and the fourth communication band is Band 13 of 4G-LTE.

It should be noted that each of filters 10B to 40B is directly connectedwith common terminal 100B. However, an impedance matching element havingat least one of an inductance or a capacitance may be disposed in thesignal path connecting each of filters 10B to 40B and common terminal100B.

The communication bands applied to multiplexer 1B are arranged in thefollowing order from the high frequency-side: the reception band of thethird communication band; the transmission band of the thirdcommunication band; the transmission band of the fourth communicationband; and the reception band of the fourth communication band.

With the above-described configuration, multiplexer 1B is capable ofsimultaneously transferring radio frequency signals in the thirdcommunication band and radio frequency signals in the fourthcommunication band different from the third communication band.

According to the above-described configuration of multiplexer 1Aaccording to this embodiment, filters 10A to 40A are connected to commonterminal 100A, and thus the signal lines connecting common terminal 100Aand filters 10A to 40A can be shortened. Therefore, since it is possibleto suppress the EVM deterioration in the transmission signals in thefirst communication band and transmission signals in the secondcommunication band caused by the transmission band of the firstcommunication band and the transmission band of the second communicationband being adjacent to each other, the EVM deterioration in multiplexer1A as a whole can be suppressed.

Furthermore, according to the above-described configuration ofmultiplexer 1B according to this embodiment, filters 10B to 40B areconnected to common terminal 100B, and thus the signal lines connectingcommon terminal 100B and filters 10B to 40B can be shortened. Therefore,since it is possible to suppress the EVM deterioration in thetransmission signals in the third communication band and transmissionsignals in the fourth communication band caused by the transmission bandof the third communication band and the transmission band of the fourthcommunication band being adjacent to each other, the EVM deteriorationin multiplexer 18 as a whole can be suppressed.

In addition, the EVM deterioration in communication device 8 can besuppressed.

As described above, multiplexer 1 according to Embodiments 1 and 2 is amultiplexer capable of simultaneously transferring a radio frequencysignal in a first communication band and a radio frequency signal in asecond communication band different from the first communication band,and includes: common terminal 100; filter 10 connected to commonterminal 100 and having a passband including a reception band of thefirst communication band; filter 20 connected to common terminal 100 andhaving a passband including a transmission band of the firstcommunication band; filter 30 connected to common terminal 100 andhaving a passband including a transmission band of the secondcommunication band; and filter 40 connected to common terminal 100 andhaving a passband including a reception band of the second communicationband. Here, the transmission band of the first communication band andthe transmission band of the second communication band are locatedbetween the reception band of the first communication band and thereception band of the second communication band, and at least one of thefirst communication band or the second communication band is a 5G-NRcommunication band.

Accordingly, since filters 10 to 40 are connected to common terminal100, the signal lines connecting common terminal 100 and each of thefilters can be shortened. Therefore, since it is possible to suppressthe deterioration of EVM due to transfer loss in the signal lines, theEVM deterioration for multiplexer 1 as a whole can be suppressed.

Furthermore, filter 10 may include input terminal 11 connected to commonterminal 100, filter 20 may include output terminal 21 connected tocommon terminal 100, filter 30 may include output terminal 31 connectedto common terminal 100, and filter 40 may include input terminal 41connected to common terminal 100. Each of the first communication bandand the second communication band may be a 5G-NR communication band.Line length L20 of the signal line connecting output terminal 21 andcommon terminal 100 may be less than or equal to line length L10 of thesignal line connecting input terminal 11 and common terminal 100 andless than or equal to line length L40 of the signal line connectinginput terminal 41 and common terminal 100, and line length L30 of thesignal line connecting output terminal 31 and common terminal 100 may beless than or equal to line length L10 and less than or equal to linelength L40.

Accordingly, since line length L20 and line length L30 of the signallines that transfer the transmission signals in 5G-NR which has the mostsevere EVM requirement specifications can be made less than line lengthL10 and line length L40 of the signal lines that transfer receptionsignals, the deterioration of EVM of transmission signals in 5G-NR canbe effectively suppressed

Furthermore, the first communication band may be a communication band of5G-NR, the second communication band may be a communication band of4G-LTE, and line length L20 may be less than or equal to line L10, lessthan or equal to line length L30, and less than or equal to line lengthL40.

Accordingly, since line length L20 of the signal line to be connected tofilter 20, which passes the transmission signals in the firstcommunication band of 5G-NR which has the most severe EVM requirementspecifications, can be made less than the other line lengths, thedeterioration of EVM of transmission signals in 5G-NR can be effectivelysuppressed.

Furthermore, the first communication band may be a communication band of5G-NR, the second communication band may be a communication band of4G-LTE, line length L20 may be less than or equal to line L10 and lessthan or equal to line length L40, and line length L30 may be less thanor equal to line length L10 and less than or equal to line length L40.

Accordingly, deterioration of the EVMs of the transmission signals inthe first communication band of 5G-NR and the transmission signals inthe second communication band of 4G-LTE can be effectively suppressed.

Furthermore, common terminal 100 and filters 10 to 40 may be mounted onthe same board 90.

Accordingly, since the signal lines connecting common terminal 100 andeach of the filters can be formed on the same board 90, the signal linescan be shortened and multiplexer 1 can be miniaturized.

Furthermore, each of filters 10 to 40 may be an acoustic wave filter,and common terminal 100 and filters 10 to 40 may be formed on the samepiezoelectric board 90.

Accordingly, since the signal lines connecting common terminal 100 andeach of the filters can be formed on the same piezoelectric board, thesignal lines can be shortened and multiplexer 1 can be miniaturized.

Furthermore, the frequency gap between the transmission band of thefirst communication band and the transmission band of the secondcommunication band may be narrower than the transmission band width ofthe first communication band.

When the frequency gap between the transmission band of the firstcommunication band and the transmission band of the second communicationband is relatively small, the EVM deterioration of the end portion ofthe transmission band of the first communication band which is adjacentto the transmission band of the second communication band tends to besevere, and the EVM deterioration of the end portion of the transmissionband of the second communication band which is adjacent to thetransmission band of the first communication band tends to be severe.

In contrast, even when the frequency gap between the transmission bandof the first communication band and the transmission band of the secondcommunication band is relatively small, filters 10 to 40 are connectedto common terminal 100, and thus the signal lines connecting commonterminal 100 and the respective filters can be shortened. Therefore,since the EVM deterioration due to transfer losses in the signal linesthat transfer transmission signals in particular can be suppressed, theEVM deterioration in multiplexer 1 as a whole can be suppressed.

Furthermore, the first communication band may be n8 of 5G-NR, and thesecond communication band may be Band 20 of 4G-LTE.

Furthermore, the passband of filter 40 may include the reception band ofn28 of 5G-NR.

Furthermore, the first communication band may be n26 of 5G-NR, and thesecond communication band may be Band 13 of 4G-LTE.

Furthermore, communication device 6 includes antenna 2, RFIC 3 thatprocesses a radio frequency signals which is transmitted or received byantenna 2, and multiplexer 1 that transfers the radio frequency signalbetween antenna 2 and RFIC 3.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide communication device 6 capable ofsuppressing the EVM deterioration even when the frequency gap betweentwo communication bands for which simultaneous transfer is to beperformed is small.

Other Embodiments

Although multiplexers and communication devices according to the presentdisclosure have been described above based on exemplary embodiments, thepresent disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. Thepresent disclosure also encompasses other embodiments achieved bycombining arbitrary elements in the foregoing embodiments, variationsresulting from various modifications to the foregoing embodiments thatmay be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from theessence of the present disclosure, and various devices that include themultiplexers and the communication devices according to the presentdisclosure.

It should be noted that foregoing Embodiments 1 and 2 show multiplexer 1which is applied to a frequency relationship in which the reception bandof the first communication band, the transmission band of the firstcommunication band, the transmission band of the second communicationband, and the reception band of the second communication band arearranged in order from the low frequency-side or the radio frequencyside. However, the multiplexer according to the present disclosure maybe applied to a frequency relationship in which the transmission band ofthe first communication band, the reception band of the firstcommunication band, the transmission band of the second communicationband, and the reception band of the second communication band arearranged in order from the low frequency-side or the radio frequencyside. Specifically, a multiplexer according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure is a multiplexer capable of simultaneously transferring aradio frequency signal in a first communication band and a radiofrequency signal in a second communication band different from the firstcommunication band, and includes: a common terminal; a first filterconnected to the common terminal and having a passband including atransmission band of the first communication band; a second filterconnected to the common terminal and having a passband including areception band of the first communication band; a third filter connectedto the common terminal and having a passband including a reception bandof the second communication band; and a fourth filter connected to thecommon terminal and having a passband including a transmission band ofthe second communication band. Here, the reception band of the firstcommunication band and the reception band of the second communicationband are located between the transmission band of the firstcommunication band and the transmission band of the second communicationband, and at least one of the first communication band or the secondcommunication band is a 5G-NR communication band. In other words, forthe order of arrangement of the respective transmission bands andrespective reception bands, it is sufficient that the transmission bandof the first communication band, the reception band of the firstcommunication band, the reception band of the second communication band,and the transmission band of the second communication band be arrangedin order from the low frequency-side or the radio frequency side, or thetransmission band of the first communication band, the reception band ofthe second communication band, the reception band of the firstcommunication band, and the transmission band of the secondcommunication band be arranged in order from the low frequency-side orthe radio frequency side.

The EVM requirement specifications of signals in 5G-NR are more severecompared to signals in 4G-LTE, and EVM tends to deteriorate at the endportion (end channels of a communication band) of a filter passband. Forthis reason, when simultaneously transferring reception signals in thefirst communication band and reception signals in the secondcommunication band, it is difficult to ensure good reception sensitivitythroughout the passband because the reception band of the firstcommunication band and the reception band of the second communicationband are adjacent to each other, and thus EVM deteriorates accordingly.

In response to this, according to the above-described configuration,filters 10 to 40 are connected to common terminal 100, and thus thesignal lines connecting common terminal 100 and each of the filters canbe shortened. Therefore, since it is possible to suppress deteriorationof reception sensitivity due to transfer loss in the signal linesdescribed above, reception sensitivity deterioration can be suppressedfor multiplexer 1 as a whole and communication device 6.

Moreover, in forgoing Embodiments 1 and 2, communication system means acommunication system constructed using radio access technology (RAT)defined by a standards organization, and the like. (for example, 3GPP orInstitute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)). Thecommunication system can use, for example, a 5G-NR system, an LTEsystem, a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, and the like, butis not limited to these.

Furthermore, communication band means a frequency band that is definedin advance by a standards organization, and the like, for acommunication system. The communication band can use, for example, a5G-NR frequency band, an LTE frequency band, and the like, but is notlimited to these.

Furthermore, in the multiplexers and communication devices according tothe foregoing embodiments, a matching element such as an inductor andcapacitor, as well as a switch circuit may be connected between circuitelements. It should be noted that the inductor may include a wireinductor configured by a wire that connects circuit elements.

Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiments, a transmission band and areception band are arranged in this order, and the like, may mean thatthe transmission band and the reception band partially overlap.Furthermore, a transmission band is located between two reception bandsmay mean that at least one of the two reception bands and thetransmission band partially overlap. Furthermore, a reception band islocated between two transmission bands may mean that at least one of thetwo transmission bands and the reception band partially overlap.

The present disclosure, as a multiplexer and a communication device thatcan be applied to a multiband system including a communication band for5G-NR, can be widely used in communication apparatuses such as a mobilephone.

1. A multiplexer configured to simultaneously transfer a radio frequencysignal in a first communication band and a radio frequency signal in asecond communication band different from the first communication band,the multiplexer comprising: a common terminal; a first filter connectedto the common terminal, the first filter having a passband including areception band of the first communication band; a second filterconnected to the common terminal, the second filter having a passbandincluding a transmission band of the first communication band; a thirdfilter connected to the common terminal, the third filter having apassband including a transmission band of the second communication band;and a fourth filter connected to the common terminal, the fourth filterhaving a passband including a reception band of the second communicationband, wherein: the transmission band of the first communication band andthe transmission band of the second communication band are locatedbetween the reception band of the first communication band and thereception band of the second communication band, at least one of thefirst communication band or the second communication band is a 5G-NRcommunication band, the first filter includes a first input or outputterminal connected to the common terminal, the second filter includes asecond input or output terminal connected to the common terminal, thethird filter includes a third input or output terminal connected to thecommon terminal, the fourth filter includes a fourth input or outputterminal connected to the common terminal, each of the firstcommunication band and the second communication band is a 5G-NRcommunication band, and the passband of the first filter, the secondfilter, the third filter, or the fourth filter is a time divisionduplexing (TDD) band that supports TDD.
 2. A multiplexer configured tosimultaneously transfer a radio frequency signal in a firstcommunication band and a radio frequency signal in a secondcommunication band different from the first communication band, themultiplexer comprising: a common terminal; a first filter connected tothe common terminal, the first filter having a passband including areception band of the first communication band; a second filterconnected to the common terminal, the second filter having a passbandincluding a transmission band of the first communication band; a thirdfilter connected to the common terminal, the third filter having apassband including a transmission band of the second communication band;and a fourth filter connected to the common terminal, the fourth filterhaving a passband including a reception band of the second communicationband, wherein: the transmission band of the first communication band andthe transmission band of the second communication band are locatedbetween the reception band of the first communication band and thereception band of the second communication band, at least one of thefirst communication band or the second communication band is a 5G-NRcommunication band, the first filter includes a first input or outputterminal connected to the common terminal, the second filter includes asecond input or output terminal connected to the common terminal, thethird filter includes a third input or output terminal connected to thecommon terminal, the fourth filter includes a fourth input or outputterminal connected to the common terminal, the first communication bandis a 5G-NR communication band, the second communication band is a 4G-LTEcommunication band, and the passband of the first filter, the secondfilter, the third filter, or the fourth filter is a time divisionduplexing (TDD) band that supports TDD.
 3. The multiplexer according toclaim 1, wherein the common terminal, the first filter, the secondfilter, the third filter, and the fourth filter are mounted on a sameboard.
 4. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein: each of thefirst filter, the second filter, the third filter, and the fourth filteris an acoustic wave filter, and the common terminal, the first filter,the second filter, the third filter, and the fourth filter are mountedon a same piezoelectric board.
 5. The multiplexer according to claim 1,wherein a frequency gap between the transmission band of the firstcommunication band and the transmission band of the second communicationband is narrower than a transmission band width of the firstcommunication band.
 6. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein: atleast two of the passbands of the first filter, the second filter, thethird filter, or the fourth filter are TDD bands and support differentpower modes, and the power modes include a high power mode and a lowpower mode, the multiplexer being configured to operate at a higherpower in the high power mode than in the low power mode.
 7. Themultiplexer according to claim 1, wherein the high power mode is a modethat supports communication in power class 3 or power class
 2. 8. Themultiplexer according to claim 1, wherein: a length of a signal lineconnecting the second input or output terminal and the common terminalis less than or equal to a length of a signal line connecting the firstinput or output terminal and the common terminal and is less than orequal to a length of a signal line connecting the fourth input or outputterminal and the common terminal, and a length of a signal lineconnecting the third input or output terminal and the common terminal isless than or equal to the length of the signal line connecting the firstinput or output terminal and the common terminal and is less than orequal to the length of the signal line connecting the fourth input oroutput terminal and the common terminal.
 9. A communication device,comprising: an antenna; an RF signal processing circuit configured toprocess a radio frequency signal which is transmitted or received by theantenna; and the multiplexer according to claim 1 configured to transferthe radio frequency signal between the antenna and the RF signalprocessing circuit.
 10. The multiplexer according to claim 2, whereinthe common terminal, the first filter, the second filter, the thirdfilter, and the fourth filter are mounted on a same board.
 11. Themultiplexer according to claim 2, wherein: each of the first filter, thesecond filter, the third filter, and the fourth filter is an acousticwave filter, and the common terminal, the first filter, the secondfilter, the third filter, and the fourth filter are mounted on a samepiezoelectric board.
 12. The multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein afrequency gap between the transmission band of the first communicationband and the transmission band of the second communication band isnarrower than a transmission band width of the first communication band.13. The multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein the firstcommunication band is 5G-NR n8 and the second communication band is4G-LTE Band
 20. 14. The multiplexer according to claim 13, wherein thepassband of the fourth filter includes a reception band of 5G-NR n28.15. The multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein: the firstcommunication band is 5G-NR n26, and the second communication band is4G-LTE Band
 13. 16. The multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein: atleast two of the passbands of the first filter, the second filter, thethird filter, or the fourth filter are TDD bands and support differentpower modes, and the power modes include a high power mode and a lowpower mode, the multiplexer being configured to operate at a higherpower in the high power mode than in the low power mode.
 17. Themultiplexer according to claim 16, wherein the high power mode is a modethat supports communication in power class 3 or power class
 2. 18. Themultiplexer according to claim 2, wherein a length of a signal lineconnecting the second input or output terminal and the common terminalis less than or equal to a length of a signal line connecting the firstinput or output terminal and the common terminal, and is less than orequal to a length of a signal line connecting the third input or outputterminal and the common terminal, and is less than or equal to a lengthof a signal line connecting the fourth input or output terminal and thecommon terminal.
 19. The multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein: alength of a signal line connecting the second input or output terminaland the common terminal is less than or equal to a length of a signalline connecting the first input or output terminal and the commonterminal and is less than or equal to a length of a signal lineconnecting the fourth input or output terminal and the common terminal,and a length of a signal line connecting the third input or outputterminal and the common terminal is less than or equal to the length ofthe signal line connecting the first input or output terminal and thecommon terminal and is less than or equal to the length of the signalline connecting the fourth input or output terminal and the commonterminal.
 20. A communication device, comprising: an antenna; an RFsignal processing circuit configured to process a radio frequency signalwhich is transmitted or received by the antenna; and the multiplexeraccording to claim 2 configured to transfer the radio frequency signalbetween the antenna and the RF signal processing circuit.